Page 75 of The Mistletoe Makeover

I turn away from both of them and focus on the tree. “He thinks I work too much. It’s his attempt to force me into having more fun.”

Lately, the only fun I’m having is searching for pictures of Jace around his house. So far, I’ve found pictures of Jace surfing, posing with an injured eagle at an animal rescue, and sitting on the porch next to Blackie and Tabby. Who could resist a man who takes in stray cats?

“Or maybe there’s something more between you,” Ella suggests. “Have you felt any vibes from him?”

“No, because there isn’t anything between us.” Not that I would know what vibes to look for. Now that I’ve fallen down a rabbit hole of learning everything I can about Jace, that doesn’t mean he feels the same way about me. “So now you’re both on Team Jace?”

Ella takes my hand. “We’re still on Team Mia. We just want you to be happy, that’s all. You’re really good at running... especially when a guy even looks your way.”

“I’m not running,” I insist. “And Jace isn’t just any guy.” Even if my friends are right and Jace is interested, I don’t want to get my hopes up that this could lead to something. It would be a fling for him, and that’s it.

Would I be okay with being a fling?Just a few weeks ago, I would have said no, but now I’m not so sure.

My phone buzzes with a text, and Jaz grabs my phone before I can. “Speak of the devil,” she says with a grin. “Guess who’s texting you to meet him at the barn?”

“It doesn’t mean he likes me,” I say, grabbing my phone from her. Whether I’m saying it for her benefit or mine, I’m not sure. “Can you finish up here? I’ll swing by later to check on things.”

When I hurry out the door, I can already feel the excitement building in my chest.Jace wants to see me. I’ve always prided myself on staying in control of my emotions and being the strong one, but Jace has this way of making everything in me crumble like a fool.

When I arrive at the barn, his car sits outside. He doesn’t hear me come in because his eyes are closed, his face tipped toward the piano. Watching him play under the lights, it’s no wonder he’s a star. He begins to sing:

I was running from echoes of the past,

But you caught up with me at last.

I fought against it, but love’s too strong,

I’m surrendering to you, where I belong.

In that moment, all my resistance evaporates, and I’m left with only a soft feeling in my chest for this sweet, tender-hearted man.

This is why people love him. How could I not fall for him, too?

I move, and Jace immediately looks up. “Mia, I didn’t hear you come in.” His face softens as he rises from the piano.

I’ve already forgotten my promise that I wasn’t going to melt when I saw him. Right now, I want to watch his concert so I can absorb every part of Jace from the front row.

“That was incredible,” I gush. “Is it for the concert?”

“Yes, I need to work out a few details, but this is the second new song I’ve written for it. I’m hoping this is the end to my writer’s block.” He walks down the aisle toward me, wearing a grin that makes my heart trip and stumble. “I think I’ve found my muse again.”

The way his eyes roam over me with approval gives me a thrill.

I lift an eyebrow. “But it’s not a breakup ballad or party song. It’s another love song.”

He rubs his hand across his shadowed cheek. “I know. Do you approve?”

“It doesn’t matter what I think.”

“It does to me. You’re the only person who tells me the truth. Do you know how rare that is in this business?”

I shift because I haven’t told him the truth about my feelings. “That’s because I don’t treat you like some special snowflake,” I say, trying to lighten the mood.

He laughs. “I’ll try not to take it personally. Would you listen to the whole song? I need to run it in front of someone and get my nerves out.”

It’s hard for me to imagine that someone as famous as Jace would ever get nervous. I sink down next to him at the piano, our legs brushing where they meet, the sparks running up my legs.

“I need you here, Mia. To help me get rid of the fear.” His eyes meet mine, and it’s like a weight I can barely hold. The pressure builds under my chest, that slow, deep longing every time he’s close to me.

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